Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Muscle Contraction01:10

Muscle Contraction

In skeletal muscles, acetylcholine is released by nerve terminals at the motor endplate—the point of synaptic communication between motor neurons and muscle fibers. The binding of acetylcholine to its receptors on the sarcolemma allows entry of sodium ions into the cell and triggers an action potential in the muscle cell. Thus, electrical signals from the brain are transmitted to the muscle. Subsequently, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine to prevent excessive muscle...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Cholinesterases: Distribution and Function01:22

Cholinesterases: Distribution and Function

Cholinesterases are a group of serine hydrolase enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown of choline esters. The two primary types of cholinesterases are acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChEs), which differ in their distribution, function, and substrate specificity. AChEs, also known as true cholinesterases, specifically hydrolyze acetylcholine, while BuChEs, often referred to as pseudocholinesterases, can hydrolyze various choline esters, including...
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment01:26

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment

Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.     
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests01:15

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Oxygen Opacity Measurements at High-Energy-Density Conditions.

Physical review letters·2025
Same author

Concerns regarding proposed groundwater Earth system boundary.

Nature·2024
Same author

Informatics progress of the Global Burden of Animal Diseases programme towards data for One Health.

Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics)·2023
Same author

Evidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs from households in Italy.

Nature communications·2020
Same author

Evidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs from households in Italy.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2020
Same author

Heterogeneous addiction to transforming growth factor-beta signalling in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa-associated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

The British journal of dermatology·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
12:18

The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: December 26, 2014

Acetylcholinesterase in abnormal human muscle.

B W Wilson, W A Fowler, R G Taylor

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    |February 11, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary

    Abnormal human muscles show increased sarcoplasmic acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, suggesting a loss of neural regulation. This finding in various muscle diseases mirrors observations in embryonic and certain avian muscle conditions.

    More Related Videos

    Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons
    10:57

    Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons

    Published on: July 13, 2015

    Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality
    10:40

    Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality

    Published on: August 6, 2017

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

    The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
    12:18

    The Neuromuscular Junction: Measuring Synapse Size, Fragmentation and Changes in Synaptic Protein Density Using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy

    Published on: December 26, 2014

    Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons
    10:57

    Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons

    Published on: July 13, 2015

    Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality
    10:40

    Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality

    Published on: August 6, 2017

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Histochemistry
    • Muscle Biology

    Background:

    • Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is crucial at the neuromuscular junction.
    • Sarcoplasmic AChE is typically found in embryonic muscle and diminishes postnatally.
    • Previous studies show species-specific AChE regulation following denervation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the histochemical localization of AChE in human muscle biopsies.
    • To determine if sarcoplasmic AChE activity is altered in various human neuromuscular disorders.
    • To explore the relationship between neural regulation and sarcoplasmic AChE.

    Main Methods:

    • Histochemical analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in 50 human muscle biopsies.
    • Examination of normal and diseased muscle samples for AChE localization.
    • Comparison of AChE patterns across different muscle pathologies.

    Main Results:

    • Normal muscle exhibited AChE at myoneural junctions and fiber peripheries.
    • Sarcoplasmic AChE was minimal in normal muscle but prevalent in 21 of 44 abnormal muscle biopsies.
    • Elevated sarcoplasmic AChE was observed in diverse conditions including muscular dystrophies and neuropathies.

    Conclusions:

    • Interruption of neural regulation of AChE in humans leads to reappearance of sarcoplasmic AChE activity.
    • This phenomenon is consistent with observations in avian muscle models.
    • Sarcoplasmic AChE may serve as a biomarker for disrupted neuromuscular regulation in human muscle diseases.